Supporting arrangement for printing press beds



April 25, 1950 F. w. HILL SUPPORTING ARRANGENENI RoR PRINTING PRESS BEDS Filed sept. 3o, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l l l L l @OS/Rl N t INVENTOR. WIEDER/CK W/LL April z5, 195o F. W. HILL 2,505,184

SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTING PRESS BEDS Filed Sept, A30, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTORNEYS.

April 25, 1950 F. w. HILL 2,505,134

y SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENT FOR PRINTING PRESS BEDS Filed Sept. 30, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 f//l/A 5 l N V EN TOR.

FREDERICK WIJ/1 1 9 /Arro NEYS.

iatentecl pr.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING ARRANGEMEN T FOR PRINTING PRESS BEDS Frederic-k W. Hill, Rutherford, N. J., assigner to Sun Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application September 30, 1944, Serial No. 556,575

(Cl. 10i-250) 12 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an arrangement for supporting a printing press bed.

In accordance with my invention, a printing press bed is movably supported in such manner that the printing pressure of the printing cylinder coactable with said bed is uniformly distributed to the bed supports for all positions of said printing cylinder.

My invention relates particularly to a balancing arrangement which is free from springs and utilizable for supporting the bed of a printing press.

Various other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the supporting arrangement for a printing press bed, combinations and arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a printing press bed supported by the mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing some parts in positions diiering from the illustration of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are transverse, vertical sectional views taken on the respective lines 5 5, 6 6 and '1 7 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; v

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional View, partly in plan, taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a detailed feature of the invention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, B represents any suitable base formed from spaced, parallel side members I, l and from spaced, parallel cross members 2, 2, the side members l and I, Fig. 1, forming bearers utilizable as hereinafter described. Supported by the base B is a horizontal bed 3 which, on its upper surface, is adapted to carry any suitable printing sheet l which may be a printing plate or, alternatively,

an impression-receiving sheet. The bed 3, on the sides thereof, comprises vertical ribs 3b adapted to precisely engage adjacent surfaces of the side members l or cross members 2 in freely slidable relation. These ribs 3a guide and prevent side-play of the bed 3 when it is moved vertically as hereinafter described. As well understood in the art, a printing cylinder 5, Fig. 4, is supported for rotatable movement by the aforesaid bearer side members l, l. The cylinder 5 engages the sheet 4 in connection with the printing operation and, when so doing, the printing pressure of said cylinder 5 is borne by the bed 3. In accordance with the invention, the bed 3 is supported in a novel manner as hereinafter described.

To this end, each of the cross members 2, 2 has a pair of horizontally extending supporting members 2a formed integrally therewith, the members 2a being closely adjacent the respective side members l, I and being in transverse and longitudinal alinement. The bed 3, adjacent each corner thereof, comprises a lateral extension 3a. These lateral extensions 3a of the bed 3 are disposed vertically above the respective supporting members 2a of the cross members 2, 2.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, one supporting member 2a and the lateral extension 3a 'vertically alined therewith are shown as having a Vertical shaft 6 associated therewith, the upper end of said shaft being threaded into an internally threaded bushing l, Fig. 5, carried by the lateral extension 3a of the bed 3 and the lower end of said shaft 6 being freely movable in a passage provided therefor in said supporting member 2a. The bushing 'l comprises an upper flange 'la adapted to be engaged by the upper surface of said lateral extension 3a, the latter being freely movable with respect to the bushing 'l in the manner hereinafter described. Cooperative with and embracing the iiange 'la of the bushing 'l is a block 8, one side of which is split to form clamping sections adapted to be held in clamping relation with respect to said flange la by a screw 9, Fig. 2. With an arrangement oi this character, it will be understood that the clamping screw 9 may be retracted to thereby release the block 8 whereupon the bushing l may be rotated by a suitable tool tted into perforations formed in the top thereof to adjust said bushing 'l vertically on the shaft 6 with respect to the bed extension 3a. After said bushing has been moved to a desired position, the screw 9 may be tightened to thereby positively secure the block 8 to the bushing iiange la. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2,

3 one plane side 9a of the block 8 engages the adjacent surface of the cross member 2 and, therefore, when the screw 9 is tightened, as noted above, the bushing 'l' is incapable of moving rotatively.

Above the supporting member 2a, the shaft 6 has a washer Ill pinned thereto or formed integrally therewith, Figs. 2 and 5, this washer I9 resting upon an anti-friction bearing II which engages the upper surface of said supporting member 2a and is supported thereby. Below the supporting member 2a, the shaft t' has a lever I2 secured thereto for oscillatory movement therewith.

It will be understood that the respective sup-` porting members 2a and lateral extensions 3a are vertically alined to form duplicate supporting arrangements disposed adjacent the respective corners of the bed That is, there is a verticalA shaft 6 adjacent each corner of the bed 3, each shaft Ii being threaded into a bushing "E, and each of the bushings being vertically adjustable independently of the others after the associated block 8 has been released in the manner hereinbefore described. As willv be understood, this adjusting arrangement is provided so that, during the initial assembling operation, the corners of the bed 3 may be so arranged that the upper surface thereof coincides with a horizontal plane.

The lever arms l2 carried by the lower ends of theA respective shafts 6 are disposed in a common horizontal plane as indicated in Fig. 2, Each of these lever arms I2 is. pivoted to a frame formed from transversely extending sections I3, Fig. l, and longitudinally extending sections i4. These transverse and longitudinal frame sections are welded or otherwise suitably secured together so. as to form a unitary frame which may be braced by diagonal sections I5., the ends of which are welded or otherwise suitably secured. to said frame at the respective corners thereof.

Referring to Fig. 2, a bracket I6, which is se.-- cured to one of the side members l, rotatably supports a shaft which is operated by a hand Wheel i1, the upper endY of said shaft carrying a crankv arm i9 which, at its free end, carries a lateral pin i9. disposed. in an opening, provided therefor in the adjacent longitudinalY frame section IL'I.

With the described.l arrangement, it will be understood that the hand wheel I'I may be ro.- tlted` in one. direction or the other to thereby osoillate, by the arm i8 and pin It, the frame Comprising the sections i3, i4 and I5,v whereby allof the lever arms i2 are rotated inthe same direction` and at the same speed to thereby im part similar rotativevmovement to all of thefshafts 6. Depending on the direction of rotation of the handwheel l, it follows, therefore, that the bed 3-is either raised or lowered to=thereby position the upper surface thereof in a selected horizontal plane for the printing operation.

In accordance with the invention, each of the aforesaid shafts 6 has threaded thereto a sleeve 20 which comprises a ange 29d having transversely alined V-shaped grooves 2Gb formed in the upper surface thereof. Each sleevelt come prises a. plane side Eile which engages the adjacent cross member surface. With an-arrangement of this character, the sleeves 2li are in,- capable of moving rotatively although, responsive to rotation of the shafts E to move-the bed ver,- tically as aforesaid, the respective sleeves Zllare movable in unison and at the same speed in a vertical direction. As appears VfromF-gs. 2 and '4 4, the upper Surfaces of the sleeve flanges 2Gb occupy the same horizontal plane and this condition is maintained at all times.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7, that cross member 2 toward th-e right has a bracket 2l secured thereto by screws 22. Pivcted on the bracket 2l is a` balance bea-m 23, the long arm of which supports a carrier 24 for one or more weights 25. The short arm of the balance beam 2 3 pivotally supports a depending rod 2S which carriesA anedgedA member 21 adjustable vertically under the control of a nut 28 threaded to said rod' 26, said member 21 being thus adjustable in order that sheets of' different thickness may be supported. on theL bed 3 when effecting the printing operation.

A V-shaped lever 29 terminates in two fork sections which are supported, respectively, by the two sleeves 29 at the left, Fig. l, one sleeve 2. being partly received in the passage defined by one fork section and the other sleeve 2i! being partly received in` thepassage defined by the other fork section. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 4 the end of each` fork tine is edged; as at 29h and each edged surface 29h is. seatedin a sleeve groove 2Gb.

Atits end toward the-right, Fig. l, the V-shaped lever 29 terminates in spaced sections. between which one end of a member 304 is disposed, the lever 29V and memberA 3,0 being secured together by screws 3l. The member 3,.extends through an opening in the adjacent cross member Zand is provided with. a passage through which the aforesaid rod 2t freely extends, Fig. 3, said member 39 being provided with downwardly.y facing grooves in which. the edgedsurface-of the member 2l is received.

A lever 32 having general, U-.conguration terminates in fork sections which are supported by the two sleeves 20 atA the right, Fig. l, one sleeve 2.6i. being partly receivedv inthe passage defined by oneforksection and the other sleeve 20 being partly received in the passage defined by the other fork section. AsA indicated in Figs.

L 2, 3 and 4, the endofeach fork tine is. edged as at 321) and each edged surface 32h is seated. in. a sleeve groove 2Gb.

The lever 32 is disposed beneath and supported by the aforesaid leverl 29, and, as shown in Fig. l, the lever 32 is symmetrically arrangedy with respect to thelever 29. rEhe, lever 32, passes beneath the lever 29,in two zones.A;A. located transverse ly of the bed,3Y and otherwise symmetrically disposed with respect` thereto. For supporting the lever 32, a pair of connecting` collarsV or yokes 33Y are utilized, these collars-v 33. being disposed in the respective zones A, A. The collars 33'are supported by the, lever 29-and, in turn, they supp ort the lever 32. As shown, the engagement between the levers` 29 32.; and the collars. 33 is of the groove and edged-surface type.

The levers 29 and 32A serve as. the-direct supporting means forthebed: and saidlevers distribute the weight of theI bed,` 3;; (andk the` pressure ofthe printing cylinder 5 when engaged therewith) uniformly tothe sleeves 20. At each corner of the bed 3'towardI theleft, Figs. 2 and-4,

each fork sectionv ofthev lever.; 29- supports aV fulcrum support or; plate 311r which, in turn; engagesv and supports the bed 3, Figs. 5 and 6. Similarly, at each corner of. the` bedv 3 toward the right, Figs. 2 and 4, eachfork-,sectionzof the lever 32 supports a f ulcrumv support orplate 34.which, in turn, engages and.- supportsthe bed 3. As

7,5 shown, theplates engage the respective meme l5 bers associated therewith in groove and edgedsurface relation.

It was previously stated that a bed extension 3a is freely movable with respect t the associated bushing 1. This holds true with respect to each set of bed extensions 3a and bushings 1. Therefore, the bed 3 and its bed extensions 3a are freely movable with respect to all of the bushings 1.

Should the balance beam 23 be moved in a clockwise direction, Fig. 3, the lever 29 moves in a counter-clockwise direction, Figs. 2 and 4, about the edged surfaces 29h as pivots. This movement of the lever 23 produces clockwise movement, Figs. 2 and 4, of the lever 32 about the edged surfaces 32D as pivots. As will be obvious, such joint pivotal movement of the levers 29 and 32 causes elevation of the bed 3 which is guided during such elevational movement by the sets of bed extensions 3a and bushings 1, and also by the ribs 3a. and the frame surfaces engaged, respectively, thereby. Should the balance beam 23 be moved in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 3, an operation results which is the reverse of that described above, this operation causing the bed 3 to be lowered.

The disclosed mechanical system comprising the levers 23 and 32, the member 3i), the member 21, the rod 26, the balance beam 23 and the carrier 24 is a force-amplifying system wherein a small Weight on the carrier 24 effectively balances the substantial weight of the bed 3.

In accordance with the invention, the weights 25 on the carrier 24 are so selected that the bed extensions 3a are biased into engagement with the lower surfaces of the respective bushing flanges 1a (which constitute stop surfaces) when the printing operation is not in progress, i. e., When the printing cylinder is not in engagement with a sheet 4 on the bed 3. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 2. Of equal importance is the requirement that the magnitude of the weights on the carrier 24 should be so chosen that the aforesaid mechanical system comprising the levers 29 and 32, etc., should be effective to balance the printing pressure of the printing cylinder 5 during the printing operation. To this end, the weights 25 should be so chosen that the printing pressure of the printing cylinder 5, acting through the bed 3, may cause the bed extensions 3a to) be separated from the bushing flanges 'la particularly when the printing sheet 4 or a part thereof has unusual thickness. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 4. The weights 25 should effectively bias the bed 3 upwardly to such extent that the 5 proper pressure-relation is developed between the printing cylinder 5 and printing sheets l having different thickness.

With an arrangement of the character described, it is an important feature of the invention that the printing pressure of the printing cylinder 5 is taken uniformly by the four sleeves 20 and this condition obtains for all positions of said printing cylinder 5 on the bed 3. In other Words, the balancing system comprising the levers 29, 32, etc., serves to distribute said pressure of the printing cylinder 5, irrespective of its position, uniformly to the sleeves 20. This is a distinct advantage in the printing art. Obviously, the impression either taken or applied by the printing cylinder is of improved quality when there is no variation in the pressure of the printing cylinder as applied to the printing element. Moreover, an arrangement of the character described is advantageous when there is variation in the thickness of the sheets subjected to the print-J ing operation on the bed 3.

In prior art arrangements, the bed of the press is supported by springs disposed at the respective corners of the bed. With such an arrangement, the pressure of the printing cylinder is uniformly distributed to the springs only when the printing cylinder is in its central position. At all other times, the pressure of the printing cylinder is nonuniformly applied to the supporting springs. As a result, there is distinct variation in the pressure relation between the printing cylinder and the printing element. The mechanical balancing system of my invention operates independently of springs and avoids the disadvantages of the prior art systems as explained above.

It shall be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the utilization of grooves and edged-surfaces at the various supporting zones. As well, under some circumstances, provision may be made for rolling contact, or equivalent, in said supporting zones.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of K means guiding said bed for vertical movement, a rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each corner of said bed, a force-amplifying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supporting said lever system and in respective driven connection with said shafts for vertical movement thereby in opposite directions when said shafts are rotated, and means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, whereby the energy generated by said last named means is transferred to said bed through said lever system.

2. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of means guiding said bed for vertical movement, a rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each corner of said bed, a force-amplifying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supporting said lever system and in respective driven connection with said shafts for vertical movement thereby in opposite directionswhen said shafts are rotated, means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, whereby the energy generated by said last named means is transferred to said bed through said lever system, and stop means limiting upward movement of said bed relative to said lever system.

3. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of means guiding said bed for vertical movement, a rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each corner of said bed, a force-amplifying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supporting said lever system and in respective driven connection with said shafts for vertical movement thereby in opposite directions when said shaits are rotated, means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, whereby the energy generated by said last named means is transferred to said bed through said lever sys-` 7 terri, stop`7 inea-ris limiting' iipward movement of said bed and means for changing the position of saidstepmeans. Y

4. 'The combination with a printing press bed avr-id a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of a rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each 'corner' of said bed, extensions carried by Said bed and disposed in 'siidable relation with respect to said shafts', a force-amplifying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supportingjsaid lever system and in respective driven ceiiiieetion with said shaftsY for vertical *movemerit thereby in opposite directions when said shafts are rotated, and means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, whereby the energy generated by said last named'rheaI-is is transferred to said bed through Said lever system.

5.- The combination withv a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of a rotatable vertical shaft adjacenteach corner of said bed and fixed against movement in an axial direction, non-.rotatable bushings threaded to the repective' shafts, extensions carried by said bed. and disposed in slidable relation with respect to said bushings, a force-ampliiying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supporting said lever system and in respective driven connection with said shafts for vertical movement thereby in opposite directions when said shafts are rotated, and means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, whereby the energy Vrsenerated by said last hair-led fme'ans is transferred to said bed through said lever system, each `of said bushings :if

comprising an 'upper flange and all of the yflanges being disposed in a horizontal plane to form a stop arrangement limiting upward movement o'f said bed relative to 'said lever system.

6. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of a rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each A'corner of said bed and iixed against movement in `an laxial direction, non-rotatable bushings threaded to the respective shafts, extensions carried by said bed and disposed in slidable relation with respect to said bushings, a force-amplifying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supporting said lever system and in respective driven connection with said shafts for Vertical movement thereby in opposite directions whenl said shafts are rotated, and means for rotatiing said shafts in ilnisonft'o change `the elevation of said bed, whereby the Aenergy generated y-'sa'idlast named means is transferredl toV sa through lsaid lever system, eachof "said bushings compris-ing -an 'upper flange fand all Aof the `lflanges being disposed in 'a horizontal plane fto `-form a stop arrangement ll' iting :upward movement of said bed relative to said `lever-system, 'and ymeans for changing the 'vertical positions of vsaid bushings.

'7. The combination with 'a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, ofa rotatable yverticall'shaft adjacent each rcorner of saidb'e'd fixed against niovement in .an axial direction, vnon-r'o'tatable Abushings threaded to vthe respective shafts, extensions carried by'sa'idbed and "disposed infslidable relation with respect to said biishing's,1nonrotatable sleeves threaded to the respective shafts and movable thereby when said `slfiafts `are rotated, a 'fiorce-ampliiyin"g 4lever system suspended `from said sleevesand 4supporting said bed `and Imovable :by `said slee-ves to lcon-- trol movement of Isaid bed in'opposite directions arrears@ along said shafts,- means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, the energy generated by said last named means being transferred to said bed through said lever system, each of said bushings comprising an upper flange and all of the flanges being disposed in a horizontal plane to forma stop arrangement limiting upward movement of said bed relative to said lever system, and means for changing the vertical positions of said bushings.

8. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing kcylinder coactable therewith, of mea-ns guiding said bed for vertical movement, a rotatable vertical 'shaft adjacent each corner of said bed and iixedagainst movement in an axial direction', non-rotatable sleeves threaded to the respective shafts and movable thereby when said shafts are rotated, a force-amplifying lever systeml -suspended from said sleeves andsupporting saidfbed and movable by said sleeves to control movement of said bed in opposite directions along said guiding means, and means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, the energy generated by said last named means/being transferred vto said bed through said lever system.

9; The combination with `a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of a rotatable vertical shaft -adjacent each corner of said` bed and fixed aga-inst movement in an axial direction, extensions carried by said bed and disposed in slldable relation with respect to the respective shafts, a non-rotatable sleeve threaded to each shaft and movable thereby when said shafts are rotated, a pair of balancing levers beneath said bed, means whereby one of sain1 balancing levers supports the other balancing lever, one of said balancing levers engaging and being supported by the sleeves at one end of said bed for movement thereby, the other of said balarising llevers lengaging and being supported by the sleevesV at the other end of said bed for movement thereby, fulcrum supports disposed between thel respective balancing levers and said bed adjacent each of the bed corners, aY weight-carrying balance beam connected to said one balancing lever, movement of saidfbalance beam being operati've to effect verticallmovement of said bed and the 'therebymarried extensions with respect to said shafts, and stop means for limiting upward movement ofy said bed reiative to said balancing levers.

i0; The combination with a printing press bed and la printing cylinder coactablev therewith, of al rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each corner of vsaid 'bed and'x'ed against movement in an axial direction, non-rotatable bushings threaded to the respective shafts, extensions carried by said bed and disposed in slidable relation with respect to said bushings, a non-rotatable sleeve threaded to each shaft and movable thereby when said shafts are rotated, a pair of balancing 4levers beneath said bed, means whereby one of said balancing levers supports the other balancing lever, one of said 4balancing Vlevers engaging and being supportedby the sleeves at one end of said bed for movement thereby, the other of said balancing levers engaging and being supported by the sleeve at the other 'end of said `bed for movement thereby, fii-lcr-um supports disposed between the respective 4balancing levers and said bed adjacent each 'fof the bed corners, a weight-carrying balan'cebeam connected to ysaid one balancing lever, movement fof said balance beam being operative 75 to' effect vertical movement of said bed and the thereby-carried extensions with respect to said shafts, means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, the energy generated by said last named means being transferred to said bed through said balancing levers, and stop means for limiting upward movement of said bed relative to said levers.

11. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of means guiding said bed for vertical movement, and a force-amplifying lever system supporting said bed, vertically movable members supporting said lever system, adjustable members drivingly connected to said vertically movable members and operative to control movement of the same, whereby said bed is movable in opposite directions along said guiding means, said lever system comprising a pair of balancing levers disposed beneath said bed and a weight-carrying balance beam connected to one of said balancing levers.

12. The combination with a printing press bed and a printing cylinder coactable therewith, of means guiding said bed for vertical movement, a rotatable vertical shaft adjacent each corner of said bed and fixed against movement in an axial direction, non-rotatable sleeves threaded to the respective shafts and movable thereby when said shafts are rotated, a force-amplifying lever sys- 10 tem suspended from said sleeves and supporting said bed and movable by said sleeves to control movement of the bed in opposite directions along said guiding means, said lever system comprising a pair of balancing levers disposed beneath said bed, one of said balancing levers engaging and being supported by the sleeves at one end of said bed, the other of said balancing levers engaging and being supported by the sleeves at the other end of said bed, and means for rotating said shafts in unison to change the elevation of said bed, the energy generated by said last named means being transferred to said bed through said lever system.

FREDERICK W. HILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nanre Date 567,892 Duffy Sept. 15, 1896 883,858 Barnett Apr. 7, 1908 1,596,420 Foothorap Aug. 17, 1926 1,727,600 Huebner Sept. 10, 1929 1,787,456 Ryan Jan. 6, 1931 

